A standard elevator in a building can hold a maximum weight of 1.5 tons. What is the maximum number of adults weighing 160 pounds who could safely ride the elevator?

Answer 1

First convert tons to pounds (1 ton = 2,000 lbs)

1.5 x 2000 = 3,000 lbs

Now we can find this answer by dividing

3,000/160 = 18.75

18 people could safely ride the elevator, I rounded down because you technically can't have 3/4 of a person and 1 more person of average weight would exceed the max weight for the elevator.